Three Important Space Heater Safety Tips

Local 10 News recently reported that both people and animals are looking for ways to keep warm now that the first chilly weather in several months has arrived in South Florida. And while the critters living outside may have to scavenge for a source of heat, those of us who walk on two legs are fortunate enough to have more accessible options. As discussed in that article, one option that many people find attractive is turning to the convenience of space heaters. In fact, space heaters can be a common addition to homes during the colder months even here in the Sunshine State. Adding to their convenience is the fact that these portable sources of heat are available in many different versions. Some require propane, kerosene or other fuels in order to operate. Many other models don’t need fuel and instead are fully electric. Regardless of the type, things can go very wrong with space heaters in some unfortunate cases.

How Dangerous Can Space Heaters Be? 

As useful as space heaters are, especially during the warmer months, they can also be responsible for a variety of problems. Unfortunately, the risk is even more heightened when the person in charge of operating it safely – such as an owner/landlord – acts in a way that is unnecessarily risky or negligent. In fact, more than 65,000 home fires are reportedly attributed to heating equipment each year according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International. And sadly, these fires result in hundreds of deaths, thousands of injuries and millions of dollars in property damage.

Operating Space Heaters With Safety in Mind

• Do a thorough inspection every year. Make sure that you give your entire device a good look any time you pull your space heater out of storage. That includes checking out the cord for cracks and making sure the plug isn’t broken.
• Be mindful of anything specific to your model. It is imperative that you always consult the user manual of a product you have bought whether it’s brand new or you have had it for years. While general safety tips are helpful, you should always follow any specific instructions that are applicable to the version you own.
• Keep good habits when it comes to operating your heater. You should make a conscious effort to turn the space heater off any time you leave the room, place it away from high traffic areas where it could become a tripping hazard and never use an extension cord which can become too hot and cause a fire.

Have You Been Injured in a Space Heater Accident Caused by Someone Else? 

While you can take many different safety precautions to prevent an accident from occurring, you unfortunately can’t prevent every unfavorable scenario from taking place. As the Daytona Beach personal injury attorneys of The Pendas Law Firm, we have built our firm on the passion we have for helping the victims of accidents who we know through first-hand experience can suffer from unfathomable injuries because of others’ actions. We are dedicated to providing effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of someone else whether the injuries originated from a space heater accident or some other cause. Contact our experienced legal advocates today to obtain no cost, no risk legal help.

The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Orlando, Ocala, Bradenton, Tampa, West Palm Beach, Fort Myers, Jacksonville and Miami areas.

Resource:

local10.com/news/local/2020/12/01/as-colder-temperatures-arrive-people-and-animals-alike-look-for-ways-to-keep-warm/